SAG-AFTRA Negotiator Joan Halpern Weise Quietly Moves To Netflix

Joan Halpern Weise, one of SAG-AFTRA’s chief contract negotiators, has quietly left the union to become manager of labor relations at Netflix, where she could find herself across the bargaining table from her former union colleagues. Weise, one of the entertainment industry’s longest-serving union executives, left SAG-AFTRA about a month ago without a peep from the union.

Weise joined AFTRA’s Los Angeles local as a television field rep in 1981 and rose steadily through the union’s ranks. She was named the local’s assistant executive director in 1992, responsible for all contract areas and the day-to-day operations of the local. She joined AFTRA’s national staff in 2000, serving as one of the chief negotiators of AFTRA’s Network Television Code, its primetime TV contract, and its public television agreement. When AFTRA merged with SAG in 2012, she was named SAG-AFTRA’s assistant national executive director of contracts. Last November, she helped negotiate the union’s new Network TV Code.

In 2011, when Netflix outbid HBO to obtain House Of Cards, she helped sign the show to an AFTRA contract.

11 Comments

S • on Jun 9, 2015 3:41 pm

SAG-AFTRA needs to be completely reformed. Top to bottom. Corrupt to the core.

Just the Facts • on Jun 9, 2015 4:48 pm

… said the anti-union troll. You’re suggesting SAG-AFTRA shouldn’t allow its employees to pursue other work opportunities? Whatever, tin-foiled hatter. Congrats to Ms. Weise and best of luck to her, Netflix and SAG-AFTRA.

S • on Jun 9, 2015 6:11 pm

NETFLIX WORKS IN DIRECT OPPOSITION TO UNION INTERESTS.

What are you, high?

S • on Jun 9, 2015 6:12 pm

LOL, says the guy shilling for a union that just got caught threatening to sue a filmmaker for exposing pedophiles in their ranks.

Just the Facts • on Jun 9, 2015 10:36 pm

Nonsense. The union’s been protecting its members, including kids, for generations. It just doesn’t appreciate being dragged into criminal accusations in which the union has ZERO involvement. How would you like your name thrown into the mix with accusations of pedophilia? You might get a bit upset and push the filmmaker not to include your name as part of her publicity campaign. Get it?

As for Ms. Weise, what precisely don’t you understand here? Agents and Managers leave their jobs to work at studios and vice versa all the time. Why should this be any different? Last I checked, It’s a free country. She’s absolutely within her rights to pursue employment anywhere she likes, including a potential employer of actors. So what? What would you have the union do? Chain her to her desk and prevent her from leaving?

So much for common sense.

• on Jun 29, 2015 3:08 pm

NO, They’re jumping from sinking ship. Being UNABLE. to negotiate increases in Guild day rates plus include an LARGE increase in Guild background actors required on set, they skated and picked up their Pay checks.

ray • on Jun 9, 2015 7:00 pm

SAG is the mafia. they don’t care about their members, it’s all about the money they make for themselves.

Michael (@OperaNowPodcast) • on Jun 10, 2015 8:38 am

Probably left for more money..she was paid less than several of other union negotiators…some that might really surprise you.

• on Jun 12, 2015 12:12 pm

I absolutely agree that SAG-AFTRA needs to be reformed. They do not care a bit about their members or doing the right thing by them. It is so frustrating being a part of a pricey union that benefits me so little, particularly when you are an actor trying to work your way up. I wish there were alternatives for the union members.

Kevin M. O'Hern • on Jun 29, 2015 3:12 pm

SAG-AFTRA CARES. They hired ineffective and inept negotiatiors to handle their contracts. Let them go, we need to hire in PROS.

• on Jun 29, 2015 2:58 pm

Removing ineffective and this inept negotiator should have been done years ago. SAG-ATRA overall contracts suffered thru non-alliance with other International Unions such as the Teamsters.